There’s just something about fall in Indianapolis—the crisp air, the golden leaves, the perfect excuse to grab a hot drink and a sweater. Whether you’re a foodie, a festival hopper, a thrill-seeker, or someone who just wants to savor all things pumpkin spice, the city is bursting with autumn adventures. From chili cook-offs and candle-making to haunted houses and holiday markets, we’ve rounded up the best ways to soak up the season and make your fall unforgettable.
1. Get into the fall spirit with a comfy, cozy soup. Find the stew of your dreams with these local recommendations.
2. Better yet, host a chili cook-off or soup night with friends
3. Browse local bookstores for a cozy fall read. Some of our favorites include Wild Geese Bookshop, Loudmouth Books, and Golden Hour Books.
4. Once the weather starts to cool down, head to Goose the Market, gather some charcuterie essentials, and head to one of Indianapolis’s beautiful parks for a fall picnic.
5. For our record collectors out there, swing by Luna Music or Indy CD & Vinyl to grab some new fall music vibes.
6. Schedule a coffee date with a friend and try a new coffee shop. Some of our favorites include Tinker, Prufrock Coffee, and Blue Mind.
7. Head to your favorite farmers’ market before they are out of season!
8. Check out one of Indy’s candle-making shops, like Penn & Beech or Unplug Soy Candles, to create your own signature scented candle for fall.
9. Try a new fall recipe like pumpkin chili, baked apples, or butternut squash soup.
10. Spend some time decluttering your space — we all know you need it.
11. Or… call a local home organizer to help you make the most of your space.
12. Head to the Indianapolis Zoo and check out one of the many fall festivities they have as part of the Zoo Boo from Sept. 24 through Nov. 2, including Halloween Town, Elephant Pumpkin Smash, Scarecrow Photo Safari, Zoo Book Foodie Trail, and Adult Trick or Treat.
13. Check out one of Indy’s many pumpkin patches and apple orchards for some family fun. Our top selections include Anderson Orchard, Beasley’s Orchard, and Dull’s Tree Farm and Orchard.
14. Let the fall festivities continue with a trip to Halloween at Newfields.
15. Or… just take a walk in the beautiful fall-time Newfields gardens or explore the museum on Newfield’s Free First Thursday of every month.
16. Breathe in the crisp autumn air at Eagle Creek Park, where trails wind through fiery red and golden foliage, or stroll through White River Gardens to enjoy vibrant seasonal blooms and the rich textures of fall. Both destinations offer the perfect escape to savor the beauty of Indiana in autumn.
17. Experience the thrill of fall at Conner Prairie with their Headless Horseman Festival (Oct. 2-26).
18. If you are looking for the thrill of a lifetime, check out one of Indiana’s many Haunted Houses.
19. Or… for a more kid-friendly haunted house experience, head to the Bewitched Booseum at the Children’s Museum from Oct. 10-31.
20. Try out new local apple treats.
21. Come celebrate creativity as the streets of Carmel become a little more vibrant with the Carmel International Arts Festival from Sept. 27-28.
22.Cheer on the Colts with the regular season starting Sept. 7 and running through December.
23. Unleash your inner lumberjack this fall with Bad Axe Throwing, where the thrill of hitting the bullseye makes for the ultimate autumn adventure.
24. Get ready for spooky season with an escape room!
25. Celebrate Halloween at the Historic Irvington Halloween Festival from Oct. 18-25.
26. Get back into reading this fall by attending one of Silent Book Club’s Monthly Meetups.
27. Want to get really spooked? A walk through Crown Hill Cemetery will do the trick! Use one of their guides or check out Indy Maven’s guide to the Badass Women of Crown Hill.
28. Calling all trivia junkies!!! Union Jack Pub hosts a weekly Tuesday night trivia where you can quiz your knowledge and support a family and a primarily women-owned local restaurant.
29. Host a Foodie Movie Night with your family or friends. Make some spooky foodie appetizers like a Hocus Pocus Charcuterie Board or Witch Finger Cookies and have a watch party of your favorite Halloween movie!
30. Take your family to the Lawrence County Fairgrounds for an exceptional weekend at the Kiwanis Indiana Balloon Festival (Sept. 26-27).
31. Get spooked with “A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics” presented by Candlelight concerts at the Scottish Rite Cathedral (Oct. 30).
32. Invest in your professional development with the Indiana Conference for Women at the JW Marriott Hotel (Oct. 23).
33. If you are looking for a new fitness adventure, train to run the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon!
34. Or… sweat it out at Pilates on the Plaza by The Hot Room on the Indy Cultural Trail.
35. If you are ready to get into the holiday spirit, check out the Circle of Lights at Monument Circle starting on Nov. 29.
36. Skip Black Friday and shop local on Small Business Saturday (Nov. 29).
37. Donate items throughout November and early December to Westminster Neighborhood Services for Christmas baskets to gift to over 300 Hoosier families.
38. Munch on popcorn from Just Pop In! and watch a seasonal movie like “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” with your family.
39. Or… make it a whole evening and add pumpkin carving!
40. Pick from gorgeous flower fields at Anderson Flower Farm through October.
41. Spend the giving season volunteering at various organizations in the area, including Gleaners Food Bank of Indiana, I Support the Girls, or Indy Humane.
42. Find pony rides and endless fall fun at Lark Ranch in Greenfield.
42. If you are an astrology lover, spend a cool fall evening exploring the sky at the Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium!
44. Book a female photographer and tackle the family photo fiasco before the Christmas card season.
45. Spread the Halloween spirit by making a boo basket for your neighbors or loved ones at Something Splendid Gift Shop & Wine Bar.
46. Host a murder mystery party or try one of those mystery case files to get in a spooky mood with friends.
47. Make a stop at The Game Preserve to find a new cozy fall game or start a fall-themed puzzle.
48. Spend a night in the crisp fall air underneath the stars at Tibbs Drive-In before they close for the season at the end of October.
49. Gear up for a spooktacular night of dancing, candy, and fun activities for all ages at the Boo Bash at the Indiana State Museum.
50. Host a Halloween party or Friendsgiving in order to celebrate the fall season and try all of your new fall recipes
Whether you’re carving pumpkins with family, sipping cider at a farmers market, or dancing the night away at a Halloween bash, Indy has no shortage of ways to keep your fall calendar full. So grab your coziest sweater, round up your favorite people, and start checking off this bucket list—you’ll be making memories (and maybe a little magic) all season long.
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